BROWNWOOD, Texas – With less than 48 hours for both teams to prepare, McMurry University Women's Basketball went toe-to-toe against American Southwest Conference foe Howard Payne, slipping in a 63-55 battle in Brownwood Coliseum on Thursday night.

The first half produced seven lead changes in a defensive battle, as Howard Payne (3-3, 0-0) took a four-point advantage to the locker room. With a 24-23 lead, HPU's Payge Grable drew a shooting foul at half court and sank all three free throws to expand the lead and steal a bit of momentum.

McMurry (0-7, 0-3) kept the deficit at single digits throughout the second half, but were unable to re-tie the game. The closest opportunity came at the 5:07 mark in the third quarter, as Destiny Mathews sank two free throws to make it a two-point game. HPU went on a 6-0 run following the baskets to lead more comfortably at 40-32.

Later in the fourth quarter, McMurry was on the verge again following an Aubrey Guerra three-point basket to make it 45-42 with 7:48 remaining. At the other end, the Yellow Jackets re-doubled the lead with a triple at the other end by Amanda Turpin. From there, HPU held off the War Hawks just enough to seal the win.

Both teams shot fairly even for the game, with McMurry finishing 20-63 (31.7 percent) and HPU shooting 21-66 (31.8 percent). McMurry had the advantage behind the arc with four triples to HPU's three, but the Yellow Jackets capitalized at the line with an 18-31 showing (58.1 percent). McM made 11-21 at the line.

Mathews extended her seven game scoring leader streak tonight, scoring a team-best 17 points on the night. She also led with 10 rebounds for her first double-double of the season.

After going scoreless in the first half on three shots, junior guard Aubrey Guerra was the offensive catalyst in the second half with 14 points. She finished 5-9 from the field and 3-6 from behind the arc. Sophomore Valery Alvarado chipped in eight points, all in the first half.

Tonight's game does not count toward either team's conference record due to rescheduling rules, but does count as a regular season game.

The War Hawks return to action on Saturday inside Kimbrell Arena as they host Mary Hardin-Baylor in conference action. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.